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Double chocolate torte

This elegant 4-layer cake can complement a more "grown up" occasion.

Ingredients

If you would like to decrease the fat and calories in this recipe, use the alternative ingredients (in parenthesis).

Cake

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cups butter, softened (or 1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce and 1/3 cup vegetable oil)
4 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs (or 6 egg whites)
Grated sweet chocolate*

Chocolate filling

1 1/2 4-ounce bars sweet chocolate
3/4 cup butter, softened (or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce and 1/4 cup vegetable oil)
1/2 cup chopped, toasted almonds (optional)*

Whipped cream

2 cups heavy whipping cream (or 2 cups fat-free half and half)
Other alternatives for heavy whipping cream include 2 cups Greek yogurt, or 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese with 6 tablespoons non-fat powdered milk pureed for 5 minutes in a blender.
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*Option not included in nutrition facts.

Directions

Cake

1. Make chocolate filling and whipped cream as directed below. Set aside until after cake is baked.
2. Combine first 9 ingredients in a large mixing bowl, mixing well; then beat 2 minutes at medium speed with an electric mixer.
3. Add eggs, and beat an additional 2 minutes.
4. Spoon one-fourth of the batter into each of 4 greased and floured 9-inch cake pans.
5. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 18 minutes or until cake tests done.
6. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove cake and let cool completely.
7. Place 1 layer on cake platter; spread with half the chocolate filling.
8. Place another cake layer on top; spread with half the whipped cream.
9. Repeat layers; garnish with grated chocolate.*
10. Refrigerate until served.

Chocolate filling

1. Melt chocolate in top of a double boiler. Let cool.
2. Add butter, beating at low speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
3. Stir in almonds.

Whipped cream

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Beat until stiff peaks form.

Nutrition information per serving

Original ingredients	Alternative ingredients